The literary community is in mourning following the news that L.J. Smith, the creative force behind the iconic book series The Vampire Diaries, has passed away at the age of 66 after a struggle with a rare autoimmune disease.
Smith’s death marks the end of an era for fans of her work, which captivated millions of readers worldwide and spawned a highly successful television adaptation.
The author achieved remarkable success, selling millions of books and publishing over 24 works throughout her career. It is reported that she had also finished three additional unpublished works before passing.
Smith passed away on 8 March in Walnut Creek, California. Her partner, Julie Divola, shared the news, revealing that Smith had bravely battled an autoimmune disease for more than 10 years before her passing.
Lisa Jane Smith, known professionally as L.J. Smith, began her career as an author with the 1987 publication of The Night of the Solstice.
Despite modest sales, the book caught the eye of Alloy Entertainment, a company that specialised in developing book ideas and matching them with authors to bring them to life. This partnership led to the creation of The Vampire Diaries, a series that would become a cultural phenomenon.
The first three books in The Vampire Diaries series were published in 1991, and a fourth was published in 1992.
However, she revealed that the arrangement with Alloy Entertainment was far from financially rewarding. Smith had written the books for a modest sum and did not retain copyright or ownership of the characters she vividly brought to life.
The following years were challenging for Smith, both personally and professionally. She faced the loss of her mother to lung cancer and her brother’s battle with Stage 4 melanoma, from which he thankfully recovered. Smith also experienced writer’s block during this period, which stalled her career.
Smith’s fortunes began to turn in the mid-2000s, with the resurgence of vampire-themed literature, notably the Twilight series.
The Vampire Diaries experienced a revival in popularity, and Alloy Entertainment re-engaged Smith to continue the series, this time offering her half of the royalties.
The series sold over five million copies, and its success was further cemented when it was adapted into an eight-season TV series on the CW Network, introducing Smith’s work to a new generation of fans.
Despite this resurgence, Smith’s relationship with Alloy Entertainment soured, leading to her dismissal in 2011 due to creative differences.
Yet, Smith’s passion for her characters and her story was undeterred. She took the bold step of continuing The Vampire Diaries through fan fiction, which endeared her to her audience and set a precedent for authors seeking to reclaim their work.
Smith’s partner, Julie Divola, shared that Smith felt ‘very hurt and indignant’ after being replaced by a ghostwriter. Her online works, written directly for her fans, often overshadowed the later ghostwritten books that still bore her name.
In 2014, The Wall Street Journal described Smith’s career revival as ‘one of the strangest comebacks in literary history’, a testament to her enduring impact on the literary world.
As we bid farewell to L.J. Smith, we celebrate her contributions to literature and her indelible mark on the hearts of readers and viewers alike. How did her work touch your life? What lessons can her career teach us about the creative process and the writing business? Let’s honour her memory by discussing her impact on the storytelling world. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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